Jeremy Clarkson Is 'Huge Talent' Says Cameron

New Footage 'Of British IS Schoolgirls'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Footage has emerged apparently showing three British schoolgirls in Turkey, before they fled to Syria to join IS militants.

Shamima Begum, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana all seem to appear in the footage and are talking to an Arab interpreter about a Syrian passport.

It is believed the footage was filmed by an individual arrested by Turkish officials yesterday and accused of being a "spy" from Canada.

The film was confiscated from the man after the girls were helped across the border into Syria to join militants, sources in Turkey said.

Sky's Ashish Joshi said it was unclear where or when the film was taken, though it is believed to be somewhere in Turkey.

"By releasing this footage, by holding it up, Turkey is saying to the rest of the world 'we are doing everything we can to stop people travelling through our country to join IS'," said Joshi.

Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described the person who helped the girls cross into Syria as a "foreign spy".

He said that the individual was working for one of the states in the US-led coalition.

Mr Cavusoglu said the agent was not American, or from an EU state, but did not elaborate.

Other reports said the suspect was working for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

However, Canadian government sources said they would not comment on "operational matters of national security".

The three schoolgirls flew from Gatwick to Istanbul on 17 February and are feared to have continued to Syria to become so-called "jihadi brides".

The girls, who all attended Bethnal Green Academy in East London, are believed to be staying in a house in the IS militants' stronghold Raqqa.

The teenagers are thought to have stolen family jewellery to fund their trip, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley told MPs.

They paid more than £1,000 in cash to a travel agent for their flights to Turkey, the Home Affairs Select Committee heard.

It also emerged the trio were among seven schoolgirls who were handed letters by the police about another 15-year-old from Bethnal Green Academy who ran away to Syria in December.

Relatives of the girls have demanded an apology from the Met for failing to send the crucial letter directly to their parents.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarkson Hints At Possible Top Gear Exit

Jeremy Clarkson has hinted he may be ready to leave Top Gear after being suspended over a bust-up with a producer.

Writing in his column for the Sun newspaper he appeared to refer to himself as a "dinosaur", explaining that "the day must come when you have to wave goodbye to the big monsters".

He wrote: "Nature made a mistake when it invented the dinosaur. It was too big, too violent ...

"All the dinosaurs died and now, years later, no-one mourns their passing.

"These big, imposing creatures have no place in a world which has moved on."

Clarkson, 54, has been suspended over a row in which he allegedly tried to hit a producer, named in reports as Oisin Tymon.

A petition calling for Clarkson to be reinstated has reached more than 840,000 signatures.

But the controversial presenter wrote: "You can start as many campaigns as you like and call on the support of politicians from all sides, but the day must come when you have to wave goodbye to the big monsters, and move on.

"We lose one animal and get another. The world turns."

He goes on to say: "As you may have heard, I've been suspended by the BBC following a fracas at a North Yorkshire hotel.

"I don't intend to dwell here on what happened then or what will happen in the future. I'm sure you're as fed up with the story as I am.

"One of the things which has cheered me is how many people have expressed support in the last few days. I'm touched and grateful."

Clarkson is being summoned to appear before a BBC disciplinary panel that will decide his fate.

The panel will be chaired by Ken MacQuarrie, the head of BBC Scotland who conducted the investigation into Newsnight's false expose of Lord McAlpine.

The corporation has not revealed when or where the hearing will take place.

:: Read Sky News' interview with a family who say Clarkson launched into an expletive-ridden rant at the producer.

According to reports, he lashed out because he was unable to order a steak at the Simonstone Hall Hotel near Hawes, North Yorkshire, where the production team were staying.

The Sun and Daily Mirror said the hotel's chef had gone home by the time they arrived and they were only offered cold meat platters, although Clarkson had ordered a £21.95 steak.

The papers quoted a source who claimed Clarkson blamed Mr Tymon for not arranging hot food and said there had been a "scuffle".

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarkson Told Colleague He Will 'Lose His Job'

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Maret 2015 | 10.03

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson is facing new allegations over the "fracas" at a Yorkshire Dales Hotel that led to his suspension by the BBC on Monday.

Four members of the same family who overheard the row say Clarkson told a colleague he would have him fired because there was no hot food at the end of a day's filming.

The Ward family from Leeds told Sky News that Clarkson ranted for up to half-an-hour at the Simonstone Hotel near Hawes and say they were shocked at his language and the way he treated his colleague.

They also claimed he criticised the BBC, saying it was "getting worse".

Sue Ward, 54, a medical receptionist, described Clarkson's behaviour towards the unnamed employee as shocking.

"He said he hadn't done his job properly, it was ridiculous that there was nothing to eat, obviously there was lots of expletives in between all this, and that he would be losing his job, he would see to it that he would lose his job," she said.

"Even someone who's really inept at their job should be told properly, in a proper manner," she said

"But the fact that it was in a public place, I didn't want to listen to that language."

Sue's brother in law Bob Ward, 60, said Clarkson arrived with his co-presenters by helicopter at around 9.30pm and refused to have his picture taken.

"I said 'Any chance of a selfie Jeremy?' and he said 'No, not with the day I've had today'."

Within minutes, Bob's wife Denise, 51, said Clarkson was shouting and swearing and had spoiled the evening they had been looking forward to.

"We were sort of, 'Ooh, celebrities, will we see them?' and then it was just the shock of how can someone be so rude?" she said.

"It was just the swearing and the length of time and this poor guy that he was ripping into," she added.

Top Gear is the BBC's biggest global brand, worth more than £50m a year, but with Clarkson suspended the next three episodes have been scrapped.

The only Top Gear fan among the Ward family, Sue's husband Alan, 56, agreed with the three quarters of a million people who have signed an online petition for Clarkson to keep his job.

"He's brash, we know what he's like, he's been in trouble before and I think he'll be in trouble again," he said.

"I think he'll continue to do that job because without Clarkson there's no Top Gear."

Sky News has approached Clarkson for a comment but he has not responded.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rochdale Abuse: Police Admit Failing Victims

By Becky Johnson, Sky News Correspondent

Greater Manchester Police has admitted failing at to properly investigate child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

The extent and gravity of crimes being committed was not recognised by officers, a report by the force's Professional Standards Branch has concluded.

But despite the damning findings, the report reveals no officers will be formally disciplined for their part in the failures.

In total, the conduct of 13 officers was examined. Of those, seven officers were formally investigated.

The force concluded that only one, an inspector, had a case to answer for misconduct.

The officer retired last year before the findings of the long-awaited report were made public, and hence no action was taken against him.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk told Sky News: "Whilst there were lots of failures there hasn't been any action taken against those responsible for those failures.

"This report shows that Greater Manchester Police are good at protecting the careers and pensions of senior officers but they aren't any good at protecting vulnerable young girls across Rochdale."

The report looked at the conduct of officers when victims first told police about the abuse in 2008.

It found that appropriate resources were not given to looking into the claims.

There were not enough officers and there was a lack of specialist training and experience among those tasked with carrying out the investigation.

When the CPS dropped the case due to concerns about the credibility of a witness, the police did not challenge the decision.

One victim recalls how she and other girls were made to feel by officers.

"I got called a prostitute by a uniformed copper," she told Sky News.

"It's like they were calling everyone liars because when you went and told them about something then they weren't listening to you."

It wasn't until 2010, when more resources were put into investigating child sexual exploitation in Rochdale, that the earlier reports from victims were reinvestigated.

Further girls came forward and in 2012 nine men who ran a child exploitation ring were jailed for offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Their trial heard in detail how they preyed on vulnerable girls and plied them with drugs and alcohol before passing them around for sex.

The report recommends that in future Greater Manchester Police needs to "focus more professionally on investigating the crime rather than investigating the victim".

It added that "there has been too great an emphasis on examining the credibility of the victim".

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said: "I want to start by saying we openly acknowledge that mistakes were made and victims were let down.

"For our part in that we apologise to the victims and we give them our assurance that lessons have been learned, changes have been made and we are determined to use this to continue making improvements.

"This matter was referred to the IPCC in December 2010. They decided to supervise the investigation which was then conducted by our Professional Standards Branch.

"It is clear that mistakes were made in this investigation. We have, and continue to make significant improvements because of the lessons we have learned.

"We urge victims to come forward knowing that we will take them seriously and thoroughly investigate what has happened to them. People who abuse children will be traced and brought to justice."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

DUP: Future Coalition Must Commit On Defence

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Maret 2015 | 10.03

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

A future coalition government would have to commit to maintaining defence spending if it wants DUP support, the party has told Sky News.

The Northern Ireland party has set the red line as part of its national strategy in the event of a hung parliament.

"We are very clear, whether it be Labour or Conservative, that we need to see a very clear commitment on 2% GDP on spending and that must be upheld. It's not just a NATO requirement, we need this for our defence," the party's defence spokesman Jeffrey Donaldson told Sky News.

It is a significant announcement from a party that could potentially hold the balance of power on 8 May.

The Democratic Unionist Party is seen as a possible ally for the Conservatives in the event of a hung parliament. They are expected to win eight or nine seats at the election meaning their support could swing it for the Conservatives looking to form a government.

They also insist any new government must equip and deploy both of the two new aircraft carriers currently under construction.

The announcement comes on the same day politicians debate the defence budget in the House of Commons. The debate was called by backbenchers after repeated refusals by Downing Street to commit to the budget beyond the next spending review later this year.

One of those taking part in the debate is Conservative MP and member of the Defence Select Committee James Gray.

"The world is an incredibly dangerous place," he said. "We need defence spending, the Americans have made it plain we need defence spending and the Prime Minister is personally committed to doing it, so all we are saying is please live up to what you previously promised."

Tory backbenchers are cross their party is committed to protecting the International Aid budget - a Lib Dem policy - but will not give such commitments to the defence budget.

It is believed the Chancellor is in favour of further cuts to the military, but David Cameron would like to see the budget protected. The MPs hope to put pressure on him ahead of next week's Budget.

Currently Britain is only one of four NATO countries to spend 2% of its national wealth on defence. The others are Greece, Estonia and the United States.

At the NATO Summit in Wales last year, David Cameron forced other member states to pledge to meet the target. Later this year there will be another Defence and Security spending review. If the UK economy continues to grow but the defence budget is not increased, then the UK will slip below that 2%.

The military has already taken a huge hit after the last spending review in 2010.

The Army has shrunk from 102,000 personnel to 82,000 and pessimistic forecasts predict it might be cut further still, taking it beyond a credible force.

Washington is putting pressure on the government not to cut further. Barack Obama has spoken to the Prime Minister in private, but recently the US Army Chief of Staff, General Odierno, publicly warned against further cuts.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeremy Clarkson Is 'Huge Talent' Says Cameron

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

The Prime Minister has called Jeremy Clarkson a "huge talent" as he weighed into the row over the Top Gear presenter's suspension.

Clarkson was suspended following an alleged fracas with a producer on his TV motoring show, reportedly over a lack of catering after filming.

More than 600,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for the 54-year-old star to be reinstated.

Clarkson - who is a friend of David Cameron and lives in his Witney constituency in Oxfordshire - laughed off his latest controversy, telling reporters he was "off to the job centre".

When asked if he planned to resign after reportedly trying to punch 36-year-old producer Oisin Tymon, he replied: "I've been suspended, haven't I?"

Asked if his suspension was over a row about food, he said "no, no, no" but said "yes" when asked if he had any regrets about what had happened.

He was later photographed watching Chelsea in their Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge.

Mr Cameron commented: "He's a constituent of mine, he's a friend of mine, he's a huge talent. I see that he said he regrets some of what happened.

"Because he is a talent and he does amuse and entertain so many people, including my children who'll be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out because it is a great programme and he is a great talent."

1/17

Gallery: Top Gear In Production In North Yorkshire

These photographs taken last week show the Top Gear team filming in the Yorkshire Dales near Hawes. Pictures: Thomas Beresford @ North Yorkshire Snow Updates www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireWeatherUpdates

]]>

BBC director-general Tony Hall said an investigation was taking place into the alleged fracas, adding: "The most important thing in anything like this is to gather the facts. We do not have the facts at the moment."

He went on: "I am a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but this is a serious thing that is alleged to have taken place."

Speaking about Clarkson, Top Gear co-presenter James May joked: "I've said many times before, the man is a knob but I quite like him. It's all getting a bit ridiculous."

The Top Gear host was suspended and the show put on hold after he apparently became involved in a "fracas" at the end of filming in Newcastle.

The Daily Mirror quoted a source as saying Clarkson "snapped" when he discovered no food had been laid on.

He and his fellow presenters and crew are believed to have been staying at Simonstone Hall Hotel in Hawes, North Yorkshire, at the time.

The three remaining episodes in the current series, including one that was due to air this Sunday, have been postponed, it is understood and no one else has been suspended.

Clarkson's Top Gear contract runs out at the end of the month, making it easier for the BBC to part company with him should it wish to.

The star, who has been involved in a number of high-profile gaffes in recent years, was put on what the corporation called his final warning in 2014.

It followed claims he used the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe during filming of the BBC2 programme.

Over the years there have been numerous calls for Clarkson to be sacked, including online petitions signed by thousands of people, but all have been ignored.

Talking to Sky News, former BBC chairman Michael Grade described him as "the Kevin Pietersen of broadcasting. You can't live with him or without him," he said.

Top Gear is one of the BBC's biggest money spinners, pulling in millions of pounds from a devoted - and international - audience.

At the end of 2012 the corporation paid Clarkson £14m, which included buying out his 30% stake in Bedder 6, the company that owns the Top Gear.brand.

This Sunday's episode was due to feature Clarkson with co-hosts Hammond and May getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 cabriolet.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Jeremy Clarkson has suggested the BBC should show the film Where Eagles Dare after this Sunday's episode of Top Gear was cancelled and the presenter suspended.

An investigation will take place after Clarkson was apparently involved in a "fracas" with a producer.

The corporation said no one else was suspended over the incident.

It is understood all three remaining episodes in the latest Top Gear series have been postponed.

The Sun newspaper, where Clarkson is a columnist, said he shrugged off his suspension and quoted the presenter as saying: "I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over."

The paper also quoted a source as insisting the star was innocent, adding: "He didn't punch anyone."

Several hours after the suspension was announced, Clarkson's co-presenter James May said on Twitter: "No Top Gear this weekend, apparently. How about [the film] 633 Squadron instead?"

Fellow host Richard Hammond replied: "No, surely, Last of the Summer Wine; no one will notice the difference. Job done."

Clarkson then posted: "No no no. Where Eagles Dare. Much better", before adding: "I did some pretty good war documentaries. They could screen one of those."

He later apologised on Twitter to Labour leader Ed Miliband for "knocking him down the news agenda".

An online petition to reinstate Clarkson has been backed by at least 100,000 people.

The star, who has been involved in a number of high-profile gaffes in recent years, was put on what the corporation called his final warning in 2014.

That followed claims he used the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe during filming of the BBC2 programme.

Clarkson said he was "horrified" that it sounded as though he used racist language in the out-take, which was not broadcast.

In a video released online last May, he said he had made every effort to make sure he did not use the slur, but realised it might have sounded as though he had.

This Sunday's episode was due to feature Clarkson, Hammond and May getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet.

They were set to take to the road and end up at a classic track day, while ex-England footballer Gary Lineker was the "star in a reasonably priced car".

Lineker tweeted: "I don't think I'm ever meant to appear on Top Gear!"

Executive producer Andy Wilman described 2014 as "an annus horribilis" for the show.

As well as the race row that resulted in Clarkson's final warning, Top Gear was also censured by Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a "racial" term during the programme's Burma special, which had aired in March 2014.

In the episode where he and his co-presenters built a bridge over a Burmese river, Clarkson was found to have used the word "slope" to describe an Asian man.

In Argentina, the motoring show sparked a near-riot while filming.

The crew was forced to flee the country after trouble erupted when it emerged they were using a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which some people suggested could refer to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Clarkson previously faced a storm of protest from mental health charities after he branded people who throw themselves under trains as "selfish".

And he was forced to apologise for telling BBC1's The One Show that striking workers should be shot.

In 2009, he said "sorry" for calling the-then prime minister Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot" after criticism from politicians and disability groups.

And in 2012, Clarkson was found to have breached BBC guidelines by comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.

Earlier this year, the corporation's director-general Tony Hall defended Top Gear, which has been a major financial success for the BBC, as offering "a different voice" to viewers.

The commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, received a dividend of £4.5m in 2012 from Bedder 6, a company set up by Clarkson and Wilman, according to the annual report.

The BBC owns 50% with Clarkson reported to own around 30%, meaning his dividend would have been around £2.7m in that year on top of his BBC salary.

Speaking to Sky News, TV critic Kevin O'Sullivan said: "It looks as if this time he may have gone too far. If Top Gear loses Clarkson, it will plunge it into a world of trouble."

But media commentator Neil Midgley told Sky: "There are other potential homes for Mr Clarkson than on the BBC" and he claimed ITV were looking to develop a car-based panel show.

Mr Midgley believed that if Clarkson did leave Top Gear then there would be a bidding war between rival broadcasters.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Gaffes: How Clarkson Fuelled Controversy

As the BBC suspends Jeremy Clarkson over a "fracas" with a producer, Sky News looks at past controversies on his show.

:: Falklands number plate row (series 22, October 2014)

A two-part South America special sparked controversy in Argentina over a car number plate - H982 FKL - alleged to refer to the 1982 Falklands War.

Top Gear's crew were chased out of Argentina by veterans and the episode drew complaints from Argentina's ambassador to the UK, Alicia Castro.

But the team behind the show insisted the number plate was just a coincidence.

:: "Slope" remark during Burma special (series 21, March 2014)

Clarkson was accused of using "casual racism" during a Top Gear special, during which he and his co-presenters built a bridge over a Burmese river.

As a man walked across the bridge, Clarkson said: "That's a proud moment but there's a slope on it."

A BBC spokesman said the show was not aware the word "slope" was considered by some to be offensive and insisted it was used to make a "light-hearted wordplay joke".

Ofcom ruled that the programme breached broadcasting rules.

:: "N-word" edited out of Top Gear broadcast (series 19, February 2013)

Clarkson was accused by the Daily Mirror of using the "n-word" while filming an episode of the motoring show.

According to the paper, Clarkson "can be heard chanting, 'Eeny, meeny, miny moe...', before mumbling 'Catch a n****r by his toe'."

Clarkson responded by saying he was "horrified" by the allegations.

The BBC launched an investigation into the episode, which was broadcast without the alleged comment.

:: Fallout from the top over India special (series 17, December 2011)

An Indian special, during which Clarkson built a toilet into the back of a Jaguar, claiming it would be "perfect" for tourists because "everyone" who visits the country suffers diarrhoea, sparked a complaint from the Indian High Commission.

It accused the show of "cheap jibes" and "tasteless humour", adding that it "lacked cultural sensitivity".

A BBC spokesman said it had not insulted Indian people or the country's culture.

:: Albanian man's "murder" triggers complaints (series 16, February 2011)

Hundreds of people complained to the BBC after Top Gear aired a segment during which the presenters tried to squeeze an overweight Albanian man, who had ostensibly been murdered, into the boots of their cars.

The presenters pretended to have been sent to the country to test drive cars for a mafia boss.

:: Top Gear slammed over "vulgar" Mexico claims (series 16, December 2010)

A special episode of the show upset Mexicans by describing them as "lazy, feckless and flatulent" and branding their food "refried sick".

It claimed the Mexican ambassador to the UK would not complain as he was likely to be asleep.

In response, ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza wrote to the BBC, describing the comments as "outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable".

Ofcom found the BBC had not breached guidelines but the broadcaster admitted the language used had "reinforced" stereotypes.

:: Lorry load of trouble over "prostitute" claim (series 12, November 2008)

The BBC received hundreds of complaints after Clarkson joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

"Change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder," he said. "That's a lot of effort in a day."

One MP called for Clarkson to be sacked but the BBC defended its presenter, saying viewers have "clear expectations" of his on-screen persona and humour.

:: Botswana special leaves trail of controversy (series 10, November 2007)

Environmental campaigners claimed Top Gear had damaged Botswana's Makgadikgadi salt pan by blasting through it during a 2007 special.

They claimed tracks left by the team's vehicles would remain visible for decades.

However, the BBC said it was careful to avoid sensitive conservation zones.

:: Dead cow "humour" angers viewers (series nine, February 2007)

During a one-off US special, Clarkson tied a dead cow to the roof of a Chevy Camaro before reversing the car and flinging the animal to the ground.

The stunt sparked complaints to both the BBC and Ofcom, but the broadcaster insisted it was "very typical" of the show's "irreverent humour".

A spokesman added: "No offence was intended."

:: Mock Nazi salute sparks anger (series seven, November 2005)

Clarkson did little to strengthen Anglo-German relations when he made a mock Nazi salute during a segment discussing a new Mini.

He also claimed the car's in-built navigation system "only goes to Poland".

German diplomats sternly pointed out that, had his salute been on German TV, he would have faced criminal charges and even a possible six-month prison term.

The BBC said it would be dealt with under its "rigorous" complaints procedure.

:: Crash test damages villagers' tree (series three, November 2003)

The BBC was forced to hand over £250 to a parish council in Somerset after Clarkson damaged a horse chestnut tree while testing the strength of a Toyota Hilux.

Local people thought the damage had been caused by vandals until later recognising the tree on TV.

The show "unreservedly apologised".

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Totally Incompetent' BBC Chair Told To Resign

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Maret 2015 | 10.03

The head of the BBC Trust has been told by a senior MP she is "totally incompetent" and should resign.

Margaret Hodge, chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, gave Rona Fairhead a dressing down during a hearing over failings at HSBC bank where she had oversight of the bank's audit committee.

It followed revelations the bank had allowed tax avoidance and evasion to go on while she was in that role at the bank, and which she only moved from in 2010.

Ms Hodge said: "I'm going to say something as a licence fee payer.

"I think you knew (there was) tax evasion, or you didn't know and I think in that case you are either incredibly naive or totally incompetent and I don't think that the record that you've shown, or your performance here as a guardian of HSBC, gives me the confidence that you should be the guardian of the BBC licence fee payers.

"I really do think you should consider your position and you should think about resigning and if not, I think the Government should sack you."

Ms Fairhead said she totally refuted the accusation.

She said: "In the period when I was chair of the committees I was in a non-executive position of oversight ... at that time I think it is reasonable for a non executive director to rely on the policies, the management structures in place, to rely on independent experts that had been commissioned because of their expertise to highlight issues.

"That was absolutely what we insisted on. You can ask anybody in the bank, we were unyielding if we discovered or thought or suspected of any wrongdoing. So I absolutely refute what you said."

Ms Fairhead had been grilled by the committee for nearly two hours over her role at the bank during the period when the alleged tax evasion went on.

She was repeatedly asked how it was her committee had not picked up the tax evasion, when its role was to make sure the bank was adhering to the rules and regulations of the banking industry.

She revealed that she is paid £334,000 a year by HSBC for between 75 and 100 days of work a year, carries out around 150 to 180 days of work a year for the BBC Trust and around 25 days work a year for Pepsi.

Also facing questions were current HSBC CEO Stuart Gulliver and former CEO Chris Meares who were both attacked over their roles.

Last month, a number of stolen files were made public in a French newspaper which claimed that HSBC's Swiss private banking arm helped clients in more than 200 countries evade taxes on accounts containing £77bn ($119bn).

The alleged evasion was said to have taken place at HSBC's private bank in Switzerland in the mid-2000s.

HSBC chairman Douglas Flint previously told Parliament's Treasury Select Committee that the executives at the time bear "fairly direct responsibility for what went on in the private bank during their stewardship".

Mr Meares told the Public Accounts Committee: "I was not personally accountable for the actions of individuals in Switzerland but I absolutely share responsibility for the events, if any of these reported practices went on, for what happened on my watch."

When Ms Hodge asked Rona Fairhead if she knew what was going on, the BBC Trust chairwoman said: "No I did not.

"Was any evidence brought to the committee of the practices that we are talking about now, the answer is absolutely no."

The BBC Trust has defended Ms Fairhead, saying in a statement: "Rona Fairhead is committed to her role as Chairman of the BBC Trust, representing the interests of licence fee payers. As she has said before, the BBC is her main priority."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Forces Lose Track Of 396 Sex Offenders

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

Police have lost track of almost 400 registered sex offenders they should be monitoring, include a child rapist who vanished two years ago, official figures have revealed.

Others have been off the police radar for much longer, one for 14 years.

Claude Knights, of the child protection charity Kidscape, said: "The horrifying prospect is that these offenders will have rebuilt their lives in communities who don't know them.

"Re-offending is high and particularly among those who have left the support system that was designed to help them."

Everyone on the register - currently around 60,000 - is required to say where they are living. They are monitored by police, probation officers and the prison service under the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA).

But a total of 396 registered sex offenders have vanished after moving home without telling the authorities their new address.

Some of those missing are foreign nationals who may have returned to their own countries. That could include failed asylum seeker Patrick Kanda, 36, who was convicted of child rape.

He was monitored for several years after he was released from prison, but vanished two years ago from his home in Dagenham, Essex.

He is one of 167 offenders who have stopped reporting to monitors at the Metropolitan Police.

West Midlands Police has "lost" 39 registered offenders, Greater Manchester Police is missing 25, and Essex and Sussex have no contact with 11 offenders.

There are offenders missing from their homes in most of the UK's 45 forces, but only Scotland says it knows where all its 4,775 sex offenders are living.

The figures were revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association news agency. The forces refused to name any of those missing.

Jim Gamble, who runs child protection consultancy Ineqe, said: "Offenders who have chosen to go off the radar should be pursued and punished.

"By disappearing they are removing the incentive for staying in the system for the many others who choose to comply."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with sex offenders and we are committed to ensuring the system is as robust as possible.

"Under this government more adult sex offenders are being imprisoned, and they are being imprisoned for longer. The latest published figures show there are more than 11,000 sentenced adult sex offenders in prison - up by more than 2,500 since 2010.

"We have also reformed civil orders by introducing new measures that give police and the courts further powers to restrict and monitor the activities of sex offenders and those who pose a risk.

"It is for the police to manage offenders in their area, but we work closely with forces to ensure legislation is effective and that officers have all the tools they need."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wales Crash: Tributes Paid To Teenage Victims

Written By Unknown on Senin, 09 Maret 2015 | 10.03

The families of three teenagers who died in a two-car crash in Wales have paid tribute to the schoolchildren, saying they are devastated by their losses.

Rhodri Miller, Corey Price and Alesha O'Connor - from Barry in south Wales - died in the crash at Powys just before 10.15pm on Friday.

Police say the 17-year-olds were travelling in a convoy of several vehicles on the A470 near Storey Arms when the crash happened.

Margaret Elizabeth Challis, 68, was also killed. Two others remain in hospital.

Seven teenagers were arrested over the incident and have been released on bail.

Rhodri, who was driving one of the vehicles, had only recently passed his driving test.

His parents described him as a "bright (and) talented" boy who had "so much to live for".

"He was studying for his A-levels at Bro Morgannwg School. He was a very popular boy inside and outside of school," they said.

"He loved his football, was a season ticket holder for Cardiff City Football Club, and loved going to the gym.

"He will be very sadly missed by family and friends, (and) all who knew him."

The parents of Alesha, who was Rhodri's girlfriend, described her as a "perfect daughter and friend".

"Alesha was beautiful, intelligent and artistic and had her whole life ahead of her," they said.

"We as a family would like to pass on our sympathy to the other families who have lost loved ones."

The parents of Corey Price said: "The family of Corey Price are devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of their wonderful gentle and caring son, brother, uncle and grandson.

"No words can explain how we are feeling but we are truly grateful of the support of our family and friends at this tragic time."

Rhodri and Corey were both pupils at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg School. Corey was a promising young footballer who had trained with the Cardiff City Football Academy.

Headteacher Dylan Jones told Sky News: "They were both very talented individuals.

"They were both full of fun, very sociable and part of a strong group of friends.

"It's been very shocking. As I understand it there were a number of friends from across a group of schools.

"It's such unexpected news and we heard it while we were having an eisteddfod here.

"Luckily we were all together but it was a shock nevertheless."

Superintendent Chris Curtis said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families at this difficult time.

"We are working with South Wales Police in order to provide support to the families affected and also the communities they live within.

"We will work with partners to ensure that the incident is fully investigated."

:: Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three Missing British Schoolgirls 'In Al Raqqa'

Three missing schoolgirls who left Britain to join Islamic State have crossed into Syria and are believed to be staying at a house in al Raqqa, Sky sources say.

Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, boarded a flight from Gatwick Airport bound for Istanbul last month.

Authorities feared the teenagers, who attended Bethnal Green Academy in east London, were seeking to join the Islamist militants.

Sky's Stuart Ramsay said: "We're being told tonight that they've crossed into Syria through a crossing... which is not too far from Kilis.

"They're now apparently in a house that is owned or controlled - or at least hosted by - a British girl who had been in contact with them through the internet, and had brought them through Turkey and into Syria.

"We are told by... good sources within the city of al Raqqa that they are there, that they are safe.

"That is where they are staying - with this British girl who is hosting them.

"There's been a lot of discussion about where they are, (and) how they got there. But we are told they are now inside Syria, they are inside al Raqqa, and they are under the control of Islamic State."

Last week CCTV footage emerged which appeared to show the three teenagers at a bus station in Istanbul.

The girls were seen wrapped in heavy winter jackets, two with hoods pulled up, and carrying packed sports bags and holdalls.

The footage was recorded in the early hours of 18 February, less than 24 hours after the trio left their London homes, telling their families they would be out for the day.

1/7

Gallery: Three Schoolgirls From East London Go Missing

These pictures were taken from Kadiza Sultana (l) and Shamima Begum's (r) Twitter accounts

Kadiza and Shamima are feared to be on their way to Syria with a third girl, 15-year-old Amira Abase

]]>

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boko Haram Militants Ally With Islamic State

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to Islamic State in an audio statement, according to SITE.

The monitoring group said part of the message, which has been translated from Arabic, read: "We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity.

"We call upon Muslims everywhere to pledge allegiance to the Caliph."

The pledge of allegiance has been attributed to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, and was released through the group's Twitter account.

Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al Husseini al Qurashi - better known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi - is the leader of Islamic State.

He has already accepted pledges of allegiance from other jihadist groups in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan and north Africa.

Boko Haram has staged a military campaign to establish its own Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria over the last six years.

Shekau was not pictured, but did identify himself in the recording.

The group has begun releasing videos in recent months which resemble those made by IS in Iraq and Syria where hostages, including British aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines, were murdered.

This month, it released footage purporting to show two men being beheaded.

Nigerian government spokesman Mike Omeri said: "(The audio) is confirming what we always thought. It's sad, it's bad.

"It's why we are appealing to the international community... hopefully the world will wake up to the disaster unfolding here."

Rita Katz, director of the SITE Intelligence Group, said: "Boko Haram is now being elevated from a local jihadi group to an important arm of the Islamic State.

"With Boko Haram's wide network in North Africa, the Islamic State's projection of creating an Islamic Caliphate is gaining headway.

"Furthermore, Islamic State's infrastructure, resources and military capabilities will enable Boko Haram to expand its operations and control even faster in North Africa."

On Saturday, four bomb blasts killed at least 50 people in the city of Maiduguri in some of the worst attacks since Boko Haram militants tried to capture the town in two major assaults earlier this year.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obama: US Racial History 'Casts Long Shadow'

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Barack Obama has said that America's racial history "still casts its long shadow" upon the nation despite 50 years of progress.

Speaking on the anniversary of the 'Bloody Sunday' march in Selma, Alabama, the President praised civil rights activists who struggled for equal voting rights.

"We just need to open our eyes, and ears, and hearts, to know that this nation's racial history still casts its long shadow upon us," Mr Obama said.

"We know the march is not yet over, the race is not yet won, and that reaching that blessed destination where we are judged by the content of our character requires admitting as much."

Thousands gathered in the riverside town of Selma for commemorations to mark the civil rights protests of 7 March, 1965.

1/6

Gallery: Selma: Thousands Remember Civil Rights Landmark

Thousands have been gathering in Selma, Alabama, to mark the 50th anniversary of a landmark event in the civil rights movement

President Barack Obama will make a speech in the town of roughly 20,000, where in 1965 police attacked marchers demonstrating for voting rights

]]>

'Bloody Sunday' is seen as building momentum for congressional approval of the Voting Rights Act later that year

]]>

On that day 50 years ago the marchers tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the way to Montgomery, and the Obama family will take part in a ceremonial walk across it

]]>

On the way to Selma, President Obama signed a resolution to grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the 'foot soldiers' who participated in the 1965 march

]]>

The event 50 years ago became the first of three marches which saw activists attempt to walk to Montgomery to demand an end to discrimination against black voters.

The marchers were attacked with tear gas and clubs by state troopers.

Violent scenes broadcast on national television shocked the nation and emboldened leaders in Washington to pass the Voting Rights Act five months later.

Mr Obama described the activists as "warriors of justice" who strove to usher in an era of equality in America.

"So much of our turbulent history - the stain of slavery and anguish of civil war, the yoke of segregation and tyranny of Jim Crow, the death of four little girls in Birmingham, and the dream of a Baptist preacher - met on this bridge," he said.

"It was not a clash of armies, but a clash of wills - a contest to determine the meaning of America."

Mr Obama spoke after Georgia Representative John Lewis, a leader of the Selma march who was severely beaten by police in 1965.

"There's still work left to be done," Mr Lewis told the crowd.

"Get out there and push and pull until we redeem the soul of America."

Selma has been propelled into the global spotlight with the release of a Hollywood film bearing the city's name and the controversy over its shortage of Oscar nominations.

The anniversary comes with America digesting the report from the Department of Justice detailing racial bias in Ferguson, a city which saw violent protests over the killing of an unarmed black man by a white police officer last summer.

Speaking ahead of the event in Selma, Mr Obama labelled what happened in Ferguson as "oppressive and abusive".

"What we saw was that the Ferguson Police Department, in conjunction with the municipality, saw traffic stops, arrests, tickets as a revenue generator, as opposed to serving the community, and that it systematically was biased against African-Americans in that city who were stopped, harassed, mistreated, abused, called names, fined," he said.

Mr Obama added that Ferguson must now make a decision about how to move forward.

"Are they going to enter into some sort of agreement with the Justice Department to fix what is clearly a broken and racially biased system?" Mr Obama said.

"Or, if they don't, then the Justice Department has the capacity to sue the city for violations of the rights of the people of Ferguson."

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Letest News

Mengenai Saya

Popular Posts Today

New Footage 'Of British IS Schoolgirls'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Clarkson Hints At Possible Top Gear Exit

Clarkson Told Colleague He Will 'Lose His Job'

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Rochdale Abuse: Police Admit Failing Victims

DUP: Future Coalition Must Commit On Defence

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Jeremy Clarkson Is 'Huge Talent' Says Cameron

Top Stories

Top Stories

Clarkson Jokes On Twitter After Suspension

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Top Gaffes: How Clarkson Fuelled Controversy

'Totally Incompetent' BBC Chair Told To Resign

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Police Forces Lose Track Of 396 Sex Offenders

Wales Crash: Tributes Paid To Teenage Victims

Written By Unknown on Senin, 09 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Three Missing British Schoolgirls 'In Al Raqqa'

Boko Haram Militants Ally With Islamic State

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Maret 2015 | 10.03

Obama: US Racial History 'Casts Long Shadow'

Top Stories

Top Stories

Links

Arsip Blog